These are the TV deaths that caused our jaws to actually hit the floor when they took place. For ... Show More »

These are the TV deaths that caused our jaws to actually hit the floor when they took place. For obvious reasons, spoilers lie ahead. « Less

2/36

Teri Bauer, '24':

At the end of the first season of "24," it seemed as though everything was OK. Jack thwarted the terrorist threat and... Show More »

At the end of the first season of "24," it seemed as though everything was OK. Jack thwarted the terrorist threat and his daughter Kim was safe. The only thing left was to chase down Nina, the mole inside CTU. When Jack finally caught up with Nina, his whole world came crashing down when he found Nina had shot and killed his wife, Teri (who had just revealed over the phone to Jack that she was pregnant). « Less

3/36

Tommy Merlyn, 'Arrow':

The good guys were supposed to win! After Oliver defeated Malcolm Merlyn, Colin Donnell's Tommy should have... Show More »

The good guys were supposed to win! After Oliver defeated Malcolm Merlyn, Colin Donnell's Tommy should have been safe. It's just too bad the formerly self-centered party boy decided to be brave and save Laurel. Added irony: Evil Malcolm actually survived the finale, while his innocent son paid the ultimate price. « Less

4/36

Jimmy Darmody, 'Boardwalk Empire':

Michael Pitt's Jimmy Darmody was being built up as one of "Boardwalk Empire's" main charac... Show More »

Michael Pitt's Jimmy Darmody was being built up as one of "Boardwalk Empire's" main characters in Season 2. That's what made it all the more shocking when he allowed himself to be killed by Nucky at the end of the season. « Less

5/36

Hank, 'Breaking Bad':

In retrospect, it's obvious that Hank wasn't making it out of "Breaking Bad" alive. But still, up until... Show More »

In retrospect, it's obvious that Hank wasn't making it out of "Breaking Bad" alive. But still, up until the trigger was pulled, it seemed unfathomable that the great Hank Schrader would die. « Less

6/36

Joyce Summers, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer':

Joss Whedon, you monster. How could you kill Buffy's mom? Her MOM!

7/36

Rita, 'Dexter':

"Dexter" was a show full of shocking moments, but Rita's death was a punch to the gut. Dexter finally seemed to ha... Show More »

"Dexter" was a show full of shocking moments, but Rita's death was a punch to the gut. Dexter finally seemed to have found happiness with Rita, but seeing him come home to discover she was the Trinity Killer's final victim was inarguably the best, most devastating moment on the entire series. « Less

8/36

Matthew, 'Downton Abbey':

This is a classic situation of an actor wanting out of a contract causing a character death. But still, could... Show More »

This is a classic situation of an actor wanting out of a contract causing a character death. But still, couldn't Matthew have been sent away on "Downton Abbey" instead of dying so soon after his son was born? Ugh. « Less

9/36

Lucy Knight, 'ER':

"ER" provided a lot of white-knuckle action during its 15 seasons, but perhaps no cliffhanger was more frightening t... Show More »

"ER" provided a lot of white-knuckle action during its 15 seasons, but perhaps no cliffhanger was more frightening than when a schizophrenic patient attacked Dr. Carter, stabbing him with a large knife. As Carter fell to the ground, it was revealed that collapsed in a pool of blood on the other side of the gurney was med student Lucy Knight. When the cliffhanger was resolved in the next episode, Dr. Carter survived the attack but Lucy did not. « Less

10/36

Ned Stark, 'Game of Thrones':

Up until Ned Stark's death, it seemed clear the type of show "Game of Thrones" was. But offing its s... Show More »

Up until Ned Stark's death, it seemed clear the type of show "Game of Thrones" was. But offing its seeming main character before Season 1 ended proved that this HBO drama isn't the type of story where the heroes are the victors. « Less

11/36

Catelyn and Robb Stark, 'Game of Thrones':

If you think this story has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention. Exactly ... Show More »

If you think this story has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention. Exactly two seasons after Ned Stark's surprising death, his heir and wife were also both brutally betrayed and murdered just when they were close to achieving their vengeance. RIP, Robb and Catelyn. « Less

12/36

Will Gardner, 'The Good Wife':

Fans were left with their jaws dropped when a deranged client grabbed an officer's gun and opened f... Show More »

Fans were left with their jaws dropped when a deranged client grabbed an officer's gun and opened fire in a courtroom, wounding several and killing lawyer Will Gardner. « Less

13/36

George O'Malley, 'Grey's Anatomy':

Plenty of death happens on "Grey's Anatomy," and plenty of it is shocking. But nothin... Show More »

Plenty of death happens on "Grey's Anatomy," and plenty of it is shocking. But nothing was more shocking than the loss of George O'Malley, which wasn't even the focus of the episode. Not even Katherine Heigl's Izzie was killed off when she and Knight asked to leave. « Less

14/36

Dr. Lawrence Kutner, 'House':

Dr. Kutner's death on "House" was very different from most you see on TV. While many on television d... Show More »

Dr. Kutner's death on "House" was very different from most you see on TV. While many on television die from medical complications or as the result of an accident of crime, Kutner took his own life. That act left his fellow doctors struggling to figure out why. Truthfully, actor Kal Penn got a job in the Obama administration and needed to make his exit from the series. « Less

15/36

Zoe Barnes, 'House of Cards':

What a way to start off "House of Cards" Season 2! Kate Mara's Zoe was a central main character in S... Show More »

What a way to start off "House of Cards" Season 2! Kate Mara's Zoe was a central main character in Season 1, but following that season's cliffhanger, Frank Underwood offed her in the Season 2 premiere by throwing her in front of a train. Brutal. « Less

16/36

Johnston Green, 'Jericho':

No one expected the Patriarch of the Green family to die in the Season 1 finale. The voice of reason on "Jer... Show More »

No one expected the Patriarch of the Green family to die in the Season 1 finale. The voice of reason on "Jericho," he kept not only his own family in line, but the entire town. When he survived a life-threatening sickness, it seemed like Johnston would lead the town forward. A bullet fired by a resident of a rival neighbor town put a stop to that, though. « Less

17/36

Claire Kincaid, 'Law & Order':

"Law & Order" shuffled through many cast members over its long, long run, but when someone left the show... Show More »

"Law & Order" shuffled through many cast members over its long, long run, but when someone left the show, the departure was usually explained by saying the character had taken another job (which left the door open for future guest appearances). Which only added to the surprise when ADA Claire Kincaid (Jill Hennessy) was killed by a drunk driver in the Season 6 finale, "Aftershock." « Less

18/36

Boone, 'Lost':

Soon it wouldn't be surprising for main characters to die on "Lost." But back in Season 1, when viewers still thoug... Show More »

Soon it wouldn't be surprising for main characters to die on "Lost." But back in Season 1, when viewers still thought this was only a show about a group of people who crash landed on a mysterious island, losing Ian Somerhalder's Boone came as a heartbreaking shock. « Less

19/36

Lane Pryce, 'Mad Men':

As one of the founding members of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, it was no secret that Jared Harris' Lane Pr... Show More »

As one of the founding members of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, it was no secret that Jared Harris' Lane Pryce had dug himself into a hole he was having serious difficulties crawling out of. But taking his own life? In his office? That was a low blow for all viewers. « Less

20/36

Colonel Blake, 'MASH':

Army physician Blake was discharged and sent home from the Korean War in the final episode of Season 3, but view... Show More »

Army physician Blake was discharged and sent home from the Korean War in the final episode of Season 3, but viewers (and the cast, who were not told about the plot prior to shooting the scene) were devastated to learn that Blake's transport plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan and he was killed. « Less

21/36

Caitlin Todd, 'NCIS':

After Sasha Alexander decided she wanted out of her "NCIS" contract, she was written off the show by being killed... Show More »

After Sasha Alexander decided she wanted out of her "NCIS" contract, she was written off the show by being killed in the line of duty by taking a bullet to the head. There definitely could have been a nicer way for that exit to happen. « Less

22/36

Sheriff Graham, 'Once Upon A Time':

While later "Once Upon A Time" deaths were more surprising, it was the loss of Jamie Dornan's ... Show More »

While later "Once Upon A Time" deaths were more surprising, it was the loss of Jamie Dornan's Sheriff Graham that initially shocked viewers. After all, who knew in Season 1 that this family-friendly ABC show would be the kind to kill off central -- and super hot -- characters? « Less

23/36

Carter, 'Person of Interest':

Viewers thought they knew the type of show "Person of Interest" was, and they didn't think it was th... Show More »

Viewers thought they knew the type of show "Person of Interest" was, and they didn't think it was the type that killed off its main characters. Unfortunately, they were wrong. In a shocking move, Taraji P. Henson's Carter was killed off in Season 3, leaving the cast without one of its four original heroes. RIP. « Less

24/36

Dan Conner, 'Roseanne':

The death of Dan Conner was a real punch in the stomach on "Roseanne." After surviving a heart attack a couple ... Show More »

The death of Dan Conner was a real punch in the stomach on "Roseanne." After surviving a heart attack a couple seasons earlier, Roseanne revealed in the series finale that Dan actually didn't live, and rather that she created an alternate timeline in her own writing. That's not nice, Roseanne. « Less

25/36

Shane, 'The Shield':

Shane (Walton Goggins) became increasingly unhinged and alienated from Vic and the rest of the Strike Team in the ... Show More »

Shane (Walton Goggins) became increasingly unhinged and alienated from Vic and the rest of the Strike Team in the latter seasons of "The Shield," and eventually went on the run with his pregnant wife and young son after Vic put a hit on him. After a series of setbacks Shane realizes he couldn't run anymore, poisoning his wife and son (so they would die peacefully and as innocents) before committing suicide in the head. Fans knew things couldn't end well for Shane, but the manner of his death (and the brilliant way the scene was shot) was as shocking to fans watching as it was to the characters on screen. « Less

26/36

Maude Flanders, 'The Simpsons':

When Maude Flanders kicked the bucket, it was perhaps the most shocking death in TV history. After all,... Show More »

When Maude Flanders kicked the bucket, it was perhaps the most shocking death in TV history. After all, who would expect a major character death on "The Simpsons"? The actress who voiced her left the show over a pay dispute, but death by T-shirt cannon is a horrible way to go. « Less

27/36

Jonathan Kent, 'Smallville':

Fans of "Superman" comics might have known Jonathan Kent was fated to die, but newcomers to the "Smallvill... Show More »

Fans of "Superman" comics might have known Jonathan Kent was fated to die, but newcomers to the "Smallville" canon were caught completely off guard when Clark's father suffered a heart attack and passed away. « Less

28/36

Tara, 'Sons of Anarchy:

Honestly, we're still not over the way that Gemma killed Tara. Opie and Clay's deaths were shocking, but v... Show More »

Honestly, we're still not over the way that Gemma killed Tara. Opie and Clay's deaths were shocking, but viewers could sort of see them coming. Tara's death not only was unexpected, but it also came at a time when things were actually looking up for her and Jax. Give us a break, Kurt Sutter. « Less

29/36

Adrianna La Cerva, 'The Sopranos':

Poor Adriana (Drea de Matteo). After being forced to serve as an FBI informant and tearfully confess... Show More »

Poor Adriana (Drea de Matteo). After being forced to serve as an FBI informant and tearfully confessing her situation to Christopher in hope they could enter witness protection and start new lives, she discovered after the fact that Chris was more loyal to his crime family than to her. She realized far too late why she was taking a car ride with Silvio and met her end in the woods. « Less

30/36

Bobby, 'Supernatural':

Ever since their father died, Sam and Dean looked up to Bobby like he was their father. So when Bobby was taken ... Show More »

Ever since their father died, Sam and Dean looked up to Bobby like he was their father. So when Bobby was taken out by a simple bullet to the head after surviving countless monster attacks over decades of hunting, it seemed impossible. He couldn't die, right? We miss you everyday, you idjit. « Less

31/36

Vicki, 'The Vampire Diaries':

Vicki might not have been a main character in Season 1 of "The Vampire Diaries," but Kayla Ewell's c... Show More »

Vicki might not have been a main character in Season 1 of "The Vampire Diaries," but Kayla Ewell's character had all the makings of one who would be sticking around for awhile. But nope, not long after Damon turned her, Stefan had to come around and stake her. At least she later came back as a ghost. « Less

32/36

Aunt Jenna, 'The Vampire Diaries':

Poor Aunt Jenna. She was one of many close to Elena whose lives were lost because of her connection ... Show More »

Poor Aunt Jenna. She was one of many close to Elena whose lives were lost because of her connection to her important niece. After surviving a near-death experience once, Jenna was ultimately killed by Klaus. « Less

33/36

Sheriff Lamb, 'Veronica Mars':

It was hard to know how to feel when Sheriff Lamb died on "Veronica Mars." After all, he was a jerk abou... Show More »

It was hard to know how to feel when Sheriff Lamb died on "Veronica Mars." After all, he was a jerk about 99 percent of the time. Once in a while though, he did the right thing. However, no matter how you felt about Lamb, his death via baseball bat was a jolt to fans of the show who never saw it coming. At lest he had the perfect final words: "I smell bread." « Less

34/36

Dale, 'The Walking Dead':

Many deaths came before Dale's, and many, many came after. But while Shane's was deserved and Andre... Show More »

Many deaths came before Dale's, and many, many came after. But while Shane's was deserved and Andrea's was necessary, Dale's was so surprising because he was the moral center of the survivors. Without him, "The Walking Dead's" main characters were lost spiritually for a good long while. « Less

35/36

Mrs. Landingham, 'The West Wing':

There was a lot going on at the end Season 2 of "The West Wing." That's why it was so startling ... Show More »

There was a lot going on at the end Season 2 of "The West Wing." That's why it was so startling when word came from the D.C. police that Mrs. Landingham, President Bartlet's sharp-tongued, quick-witted and long-time secretary, had been killed in a car accident while driving her first new car back to the White House so the president could have a look at it. « Less

As a lone-wolf stickup man who robs drug dealers, Omar Little (Michael Kenneth Williams) survived numerous attempts to take him out and always seemed to be one step ahead of Marlo Stanfield and the other gangsters who were gunning for him. His end, though, came not in some big shootout but when a young corner boy followed him into a convenience store and shot him -- hardly the way anyone expected him to go out. « Less

TV's most devastating and shocking main character deaths

Oftentimes viewers get into a lull with TV shows where it feels like each
series' main characters are safe. But as fans have learned more often than we
like, that's not necessarily the case Here's a look at the most surprising main
character ...
Show More »

Oftentimes viewers get into a lull with TV shows where it feels like each
series' main characters are safe. But as fans have learned more often than we
like, that's not necessarily the case Here's a look at the most surprising main
character deaths on television. Obviously, spoilers lie ahead.
« Less